❝𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞❞ // ᴊᴊʙᴀ x ᴏᴄ

♚7-𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐲♚

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TW: Mentions of past trauma.

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With how things ended yesterday evening, Marie had spent the entire night crawled up under her covers, like a small kitten.

For the first time in a few months, she had breakfast brought to her by Bruno and Narancia.

"The house has been cleaned and so as the rooms," Bruno said, as he gave her golden waves a small brush of his fingers and sat beside Marie, who was still in her pajamas, "So I expect you to leave the house once you've finished breakfast."

"It's all thanks to me!" Narancia grinned cheerfully.

Marie chuckled softly and gave Narancia's hand a small squeeze, "You didn't have to," She looked back at Bruno, "Thank you so much."

"While it was a bit of a struggle, we got through it," Bruno pushed his short hair behind his ears, "God knows where we'd be without you."

She sipped her tea and looked at Bruno, slightly concerned once he asked Narancia to leave and hang the washing. Her bedroom door shut with a tiny click, and he finally asked what had been itching him since yesterday.

"What on Earth happened yesterday, Marie?" He glanced at her worriedly, "I'm starting to feel like this is worse than we thought."

She pursed her lips before exhaling softly, "I just... I was reminded of something."

"Reminded of what?"

Marie hesitated for a moment, fiddling with her small fingers, "Thomas..."

He moved closer to her, bringing her into his chest as he caught sight of her emotions spilling from her eyes, "Oh, Marie..."

"I thought..." She sniffled softly, "I thought I was over him, but..."

Bruno pulled away, keeping his hands on her shoulders. He brushed her hair away once more, "But what, my dear?"

"But... I don't think I ever will..." Marie attempted to wipe away the tears that stained her rosy cheeks, "He was too special..."

"Marie," He sighed softly, "I know we've been over this so many times, but I believe it's time you go out and meet more people."

Marie glanced up at him with a weak smile, "If only it were that easy."

Bruno took her hands in hers, looking st her straight in the eyes, "Sweetheart, I know many people who would make you happy. Why do you still resist?"

She kept quiet, her small lips turned into a frown.

"Please, look at yourself," He pleaded in a soft whisper, "Consider it, just this once."

"Are you... sure?"

"Yes, for God's sake," He laughed breathlessly, "I mean the best for you, my dear. How dare you even consider wasting your life away like this."

The corner of her lips perked up slightly before a quiet word slipped from her mouth, "Alright."

"You'll do it?"

Marie nodded gently.

"You're being serious?"

Her smile grew, "I'll try."

Bruno grinned excitedly and kissed her hands before cupping one of her cheeks in his palm, "I promise you won't regret it."

"Thank you, Bruno." She smiled softly with a small sigh.